Are You Scared?

Translator: Cinder Translations

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"Who?"

"That... it's that girl," Pi Ruan laughed smugly as if claiming credit. "It's a coincidence, actually. I happen to have a few business contacts in the capital, so I asked them to help look around nearby. Surprisingly, they actually found her."

After a long silence from Jiang Cheng, Pi Ruan, feeling a little guilty, quickly added, "But in the end, it's still thanks to you, Dr. Jiang. That girl is indeed a university student, a science major. She often takes leave or leaves early, and she doesn't live in the dorms assigned by the school. Her classmates don't know much about her."

"By the way, her name is Xia Meng," Pi Ruan added in one breath.

"Where is your friend now?" Jiang Cheng's voice was calm and cold, seemingly without any sign of joy.

"I told him to return to Rongcheng immediately. Let me think, he should be getting off the plane soon," Pi Ruan thought for a moment and continued, "He'll come straight to me, and then I'll take him to your office. You can ask him for the details."

"Does he know where your company is?" Jiang Cheng suddenly interrupted.

"Yes," Pi Ruan replied instinctively.

But shortly after, he realized something was off with Dr. Jiang today. Although he wasn't always the most normal, today seemed unusually strange.

After a long pause, Jiang Cheng's voice slowly came through again. "Calculate the time he'll be off the plane and call him to come straight here."

Pi Ruan blinked. "Dr. Jiang, then I..."

"Leave the company quickly. Use a spare ID to book a room at a more secluded hotel. Don't bring your phone, pay in cash, and don't drive; take a taxi. This afternoon at 6 p.m., call me from the hotel using their phone. Let it ring four times, then hang up. I'll call you back."

"If you haven't received my call within 5 minutes, leave the hotel immediately and go straight to the police station. Use your connections to apply for protection."

Pi Ruan owed much of his current life to Jiang Cheng, so he followed Jiang Cheng's instructions almost instinctively, not questioning much.

But based on his understanding of Jiang Cheng and his tone, this matter was likely serious and might even threaten his personal safety.

"Understood, Dr. Jiang."

Just before hanging up, Pi Ruan heard Jiang Cheng's final words, "Tell your friend my name is Hao Shuai."

After Jiang Cheng hung up the phone, the Fatty widened his eyes and leaned over. "Doctor," he swallowed, asking quietly, "Is there something going on?"

Like Pi Ruan, he had rarely seen Dr. Jiang in this kind of state.

Especially when the name "Hao Shuai" was mentioned.

In the Fatty's memory, Jiang Cheng had only used this name in nightmares.

"Fatty," Jiang Cheng's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "A friend of mine is coming to see me soon. Go outside and take a look at the market. Don't come back unless I call you."

"Okay, Doctor."

As the Fatty prepared to change clothes and go outside as instructed, Jiang Cheng's voice sounded from behind. "Fatty," he suddenly said.

The Fatty turned around in confusion.

"Be smart."

Once the Fatty left with his basket, Jiang Cheng quietly sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair. He stared at the wall clock for a while before picking up his phone and tapping something on it lightly.

The light coming through the window gradually grew stronger, and the soft morning light faded. Jiang Cheng squinted, seemingly resting his eyes.

A set of footsteps, neither light nor heavy, approached the door, followed by a soft knock.

The visitor seemed like a gentle person, with a brisk pace and a knock at just the right force.

"Come in."

The door wasn't locked, and as it was pushed open, sunlight flooded the room. But the next moment, the sunlight was shattered by a graceful figure stepping inside.

A breeze swept through the door, making the hem of her Bohemian-style skirt flutter in the wind, playful yet full of vitality. The girl wore a beach straw hat tied with a black bow.

She lifted her delicate chin, revealing a very pure face.

"Mr. Hao," Chen Xiaomeng smiled and said, "Long time no see!"

Following her was a middle-aged man, graying at the temples, with sharp eyes. Just by standing there, he exuded an imposing aura.

At his direction, two young men began to search the premises thoroughly, even coming down from upstairs with a torn piece of clothing in hand.

It was an oversized work uniform.

Chen Xiaomeng only glanced at it, nodded to the middle-aged man, and one of the young men left with the clothes, while the other stayed.

It seemed they weren't the only ones; there were more people outside. They were likely searching for the Fatty.

Throughout this, Jiang Cheng hadn't moved. His phone remained on the edge of the desk.

He was being closely watched by the middle-aged man, whose subtle gaze made Jiang Cheng realize he might not be an easy person to deal with.

Chen Xiaomeng casually leaned against Jiang Cheng's desk, squinting her eyes and showing her small tiger teeth in a playful smile. She asked in an exaggerated tone, "Found you, aren't you scared?"

"I am scared," Jiang Cheng immediately shivered.

Chen Xiaomeng laughed even harder, her eyes slightly raised, like a fox who had succeeded in her scheme. "To use such unprofessional people to find me, this isn't like your usual crafty style, Mr. Hao."

She slowly took out a piece of paper, spreading it on the desk. It was a portrait of Pi Ruan's described girl, graceful and lively, almost identical to Chen Xiaomeng herself.

"I knew Mr. Hao liked this outfit, so I wore it today," she said with a smile.

Then, feigning regret, she shrugged and said with a helpless tone, "But now you've fallen into my hands. The outcome... I'm afraid it won't be pretty. You should mentally prepare yourself."

Jiang Cheng deflated like a punctured ball, looking at Chen Xiaomeng with a pitiful expression that said, "I've already resigned myself, do whatever you want."

Seeing Jiang Cheng's expression, Chen Xiaomeng felt great satisfaction. This was the man who had threatened her in her nightmares more than once.

Not only did he steal, but he also knocked her out.

She propped her hands on the desk, raised her head arrogantly, then leaned in, staring down into Jiang Cheng's eyes.

"So what do you think I should do to punish you?" She smiled wickedly. "Mr. Hao, who's been such a naughty child?"

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment, as if making a decision. He leaned in as well, lowering his voice to something only they could hear, and cautiously said, "There's no bed upstairs, but there is a mattress. If you can manage..."

TL/N: I almost burst my stomach trying to hold in my laughter...

(End of the Chapter)

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